KUCHING: Hard work and discipline paid off for Sarawak's top Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) candidate Hong Yong Kai, who scored 11 A+.
Hong, from SMK Green Road here, said he did not expect to get straight A+ as the exam was tougher than expected, especially for English and Mathematics.
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"I set a study timetable for myself and followed it as strictly as I could," he said after receiving his results slip from state Education director Datuk Dr Azhar Ahmad at the Education Department here on Thursday (June 16).
Hong said it was a challenging experience to study during the Covid-19 pandemic, including having to attend classes online.
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"I struggled hard with my friends. We discussed homework together and helped each other to go through this process.
Danny Yong Zhi Lik showing his SPM results. - ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE / The Star
"I am so thankful to my teachers, my family members and my friends," he said, adding that his ambition was to become a doctor.
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Azhar said 12 students achieved straight A+ in Sarawak, with Hong the only one to take 11 subjects.
Six students scored 10 A+ and five scored 9 A+.
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Five special needs students also achieved excellent results, including two with straight As.
Overall, Azhar said 596 students achieved at least an A- in all their subjects.
"A total of 29,166 candidates or 88.29% were eligible to receive SPM certificates, while 17 schools achieved 100% results with all their candidates eligible to receive the certificate," he said.
Azhar also said Sarawak achieved a national average grade (GPN) of 5.17 for SPM 2021.
He said candidates in Sarawak sat for a total of 78 subjects, with 100% passes in 42 subjects.